LIAM DURKIN
CRICKET
GCL By LIAM DURKIN SALE-MAFFRA had a relatively easy win over Latrobe Valley in Gippsland Cricket League action on Sunday. Playing at Sale Oval, the Sharks won by six wickets to keep their unbeaten record intact. Fielding what would have to be the strongest SMCA side this writer has seen in his six year’s covering GCL, the Sharks had no shortage of quality – especially with the bat. Literally every player could be classed as a genuine top six. Before they could bat however, SMCA needed to field after losing the toss. They found bowling to be of little challenge against Latrobe Valley, who slumped to 3/20, and continued to lose wickets in semi-regular fashion after that. Skipper Rhys Holdsworth offered some resistance, making 52 off 104 balls. Holdsworth has been in strong form of late, making 75, 53, 94 and 97 in four of his last five hits for home club Trafalgar. Alex Burcombe chipped in with a handy 34, to see the visitors post 8/159 from their allotted 50 overs. Jack Tatterson did most of the damage with the ball, taking 4/25, while Gareth Wolmarans struck twice with the new ball to see Latrobe Valley sink to 2/16. Sale-Maffra wasted no time getting stuck into the chase, and sent Adrian Burgiel out to open with Tom Morrison. Both struck at over 100 or close to, with Burgiel scoring 34 off 28 balls. His 34 comprised 24 runs in boundaries, and his six boundaries almost eclipsed the effort from the entire Latrobe Valley team (seven). Steve Spoljaric came in at first drop, and played a more cautious hand, making 38 off 69. When the Bundalaguah-ace departed, the Sharks needed just 19 to win. Strike rates stayed healthy for Sale-Maffra, with Rohan Diamond making an innings high 51 not out from 39 balls. The Sharks secured victory inside 30 overs. Holdsworth’s Trafalgar teammate Jackson Noonan had some joy with the ball, taking 2/41. Sale-Maffra will now turn their attention to playing Traralgon in the final home-and-away match. This game could determine the minor premiership, but could also be a dead-rubber as the top-two teams go through to the final. Traralgon is a game clear in second, and also has a game in hand. The Tornadoes play against third-placed Bairnsdale this Sunday. ELSEWHERE, Warragul won a thriller against Leongatha in the other GCL match played last Sunday. The Wild Dogs snuck home by six runs, successfully defending 126. Batsmen found the going tough at Leongatha Recreation Reserve, and for Warragul, only Fraser Duncan (33) and Dan Vela (28) were able to make an impression. Mitch Clark had everything going for him, and ended with figures of 5/27 from 7.1 overs. Harry Hoekstra was near-on unplayable, and took 3/10 from eight overs, in an effort that included three maidens. To give an indication of what batsmen were up against, Clark was the only bowler (of eight used) to go at more than two-an-over. Clark looked to be picking up where he left off with the ball, opening the batting for the home side. After getting to 33, and probably rightly thinking it was his day, Clark was dismissed to see Leongatha delicately poised at 4/81. With Shiran Rathnayake still in, he threatened to be the difference. The Wild Dogs were able to get wickets around him however, and the pressure eventually meant Rathnayake joined the cluster after he made 29. Warragul pressed on, and soon had Leongatha 9/115. With the game on the line, the Wild Dogs needed a hero. Jona Watts became that hero, taking the last wicket in the 43rd over. Watts ended with 3/19, along with Vela, who returned near-identical figures of 3/20. You have to acknowledge Warragul one thing; they do have a great fighting spirit. IN junior representative cricket, wins went to Bairnsdale, Sale-Maffra and Leongatha in the Under 13 Development League. Bairnsdale was too strong for Latrobe Valley, in a game highlighted by Campbell Moncrieff scoring a century. Moncrieff plundered the bowling to all parts of the Jack Canavan Complex. He was the last man dismissed after opening the batting for 105. While reaching 50 is a great moment for any youngster, getting a century is indeed the stuff dreams are made of. Moncrieff received good support from Des Hine, who remained not out on 53. Their efforts saw the visitors to a huge score of 240 off 40 overs. Shaven Rajapakse was the best bowler for Latrobe Valley, taking 3/26, along with Nethul Gamage who snared 2/21. Latrobe Valley was bundled out cheaply in reply, only managing 110. Skipper Linc Chila did his best, making 27 against the new ball. Sale-Maffra won a competitive game against Warragul. Batting first at Western Park, the visitors closed at 7/148 off 50 overs. Xavier Hurley retired on 50, while Max Shaw contributed 37 in the middle order. Wickets were shared in the Wild Dogs camp. Will Tomlin and Ed Dieu each took 2/19. Warragul never quite got going with the bat, and were bowled out for 111. In a batting effort that saw them fall an ‘innings short’, Musa Faisal Wahid made a solid 25. Leongatha defeated Traralgon at Leongatha Secondary. Ty Debono and Cooper Newman did most of the work, scoring 40 and 32 respectively. The Tornadoes were never in the hunt, bowled out for 63. Louis Read (3/9), Eamon Berryman (2/0) and Jobe Williams (2/9) were miserly for the winners.
